Chapter 11: Moonlit Escape and Cautious Alliances

The city outside was eerily quiet, the usual bustle replaced by an unsettling silence. As they stepped into the dimly lit streets, Ji-hoon took the lead, following the route he had planned. The group moved cautiously, their senses heightened by the uncertainty of the situation. Every shadow, every distant sound, put them on edge.

As they approached the first and closest supermarket on their route, they couldn't help but feel nervous, there could be a group of survivors hiding in it or they could even meet their first infected.

Ji-hoon motioned for the group to stay back as he approached the supermarket entrance cautiously. The automatic sliding doors stood slightly ajar, a silent invitation to the unknown. He peered inside, scanning the dimly lit space for any signs of movement.

Satisfied that it seemed clear, Ji-hoon signalled for the others to follow. They moved silently through the aisles, their eyes darting between the shelves, ever watchful for unexpected encounters.

The remnants of panic buying and hurried evacuations were evident, with scattered items and overturned shopping carts creating an eerie atmosphere. As they gathered non-perishables and water, the tension in the air lingered.

Soo Won couldn't shake the feeling that they were not alone in the supermarket. Every creak and rustle sent shivers down her spine, prompting her to stay vigilant.

Min Ji's grip on her makeshift weapon tightened as they continued their search.

The group's footsteps echoed through the empty supermarket, amplifying the sense of vulnerability.

So Mi kept glancing around nervously, her senses detecting even the slightest disturbance. After salvaging everything they could find, they moved towards the exit as cautiously as they had entered wary of any threats that could be in the supermarket. As they neared the exit, a sudden noise echoed from a distant aisle. The group froze, their breaths held collectively.

Ji-hoon gestured for them to crouch behind a shelf, maintaining silence. The sound grew closer, revealing a faint groaning – a sound they had come to associate with the infected.

A lone figure stumbled into view, its movements erratic and unsettling. The group watched in tense silence as the infected person wandered aimlessly through the supermarket. Ji-hoon signalled for everyone to wait until it was at a safe distance before cautiously slipping out of the supermarket.

Once outside, they hurried away from the supermarket trying not to make any noise and attract unwanted attention. After going some distance, they finally slowed down and everyone took a sigh of relief.

"That was close" So Mi was the first to break the silence.

Ji-hoon nodded, "We need to stay alert. There might be more of them around." The realization of the infected roaming freely in what used to be familiar places sent a chill down their spines.

Soo Won scanned the surroundings, "Since we have enough supplies to last a while now, apart from when there's a supermarket to scavenge for supplies, we should probably avoid populated areas. Let's stick to the quieter streets."

The group agreed, everyone understanding the importance of minimizing their encounters with both infected and potential hostile survivors.

As they continued their journey, the once-familiar streets of Seoul took on a surreal quality. The city that had once thrived with life and energy now stood silent and eerie. Each step was a reminder of the changed world they were navigating.

With Ji-hoon at the lead, the group moved through a series of alleys, opting for less-travelled paths. The occasional distant moans and shuffles served as haunting echoes of the new reality they faced.

Hours passed, and the group moved methodically towards their planned destination. It was obvious that they were all exhausted both mentally and physically after moving for so long.

As they approached the outskirts of the city, Ji-hoon led them to a residential area. The tall buildings gradually gave way to smaller houses. The group took refuge in an abandoned house, securing the doors and windows as best as they could.

After checking through the building for any infected or other survivors, they all settled down. Inside the dimly lit living room, they sat in a circle, exhaustion etched on their faces.

Min Ji broke the silence, "What now? Do we stay here for the night?"

Ji-hoon considered their options. "We should rest for a few hours, take shifts for watch. We'll leave at first light. Songnim Maeul is still a distance away."

Mr Park added "We need to stay alert. There might be more of them around."

"I'll keep the first watch with Mr. Park," Ji-hoon suggested as they settled into the abandoned house, "So Mi and Min-jae can handle the second shift. We'll rotate every three hours." The group agreed and with everything planned for the night, they all separated and went to doing their own things.

Ji-hoon and Mr. Park positioned themselves near the entrance, vigilant for any signs of danger. The others prepared makeshift beds, finding what comfort they could in the unfamiliar surroundings.

The hours passed quietly, the occasional distant moan serving as a haunting reminder of the world outside. Ji-hoon kept a watchful eye on the surroundings, occasionally glancing at Mr Park discreetly.

Mr. Park, noticing Ji-hoon's caution, asked, "Is there something you want to say?"

Ji-hoon, keeping his suspicion guarded, replied, "How did you know we were planning to leave?"

Mr. Park stared at him for a while before revealing, "I overheard your conversation in the hallway."

Ji-hoon, sceptical, shot back, "Were you intentionally eavesdropping on us?"

Mr. Park, with a nonchalant tone, responded, "Why would you assume that?"

Ji-hoon, not convinced, stated, "I was checking around for anyone during our conversation. I would have noticed you unless you were intentionally hiding."

Mr. Park, acknowledging Ji-hoon's reasoning, admitted, "Good point. I followed you because I noticed your caution earlier. Figured it's better to stick with someone who's as cautious as I am in these times."

Ji-hoon, raising an eyebrow, asked, "So, you followed us because you saw that I was cautious?"

Mr. Park, maintaining his calm demeanour, responded, "I guess if I were in your situation, I wouldn't believe me either. But that's genuinely why I followed you. If you still don't trust me, feel free to keep watching. My only motive is survival, just like yours."

Ji-hoon, although still sceptical, nodded in acknowledgment. After that, they maintained their watch in silence. Time passed, and before they knew it, their shift was over, prompting them to settle down for some much-needed rest.

So Mi and Min-jae took over the watch, maintaining a vigilant eye on their surroundings. As the night progressed, the city stayed shrouded in an eerie calm. With the arrival of morning, they gathered their belongings, ready to resume their journey into the unknown.